Common Roof Rack Issues

Instructions

These days we are too used to glossing over instruction sheets and warranties. But we cannot afford to do this with mechanical or electrical apparatus. Read the instruction before you try to install a roof rack, or have it professionally installed. We don’t want to damage the car.

Torque Settings
This is important. The rack need to flex as the car body flexes. It cannot be too tight or too loose. See the instructions.

Rust
Aluminium and stainless steel roof racks, even steel that has been coated, will be virtually rust-free. But the bolts that hold these on may be prone to rust. any two dissimilar metal in contact will also be prone to rust. Fish oil or copper grease will prevent this.

Weight Limits
The car owner’s manual will state the weight limit for the vehicle. It is highly unsafe to exceed this. Remember that this includes the weight of the roof rack itself, the luggage, and the passengers.

Loading
It is easy to underestimate the trouble it takes to load a roof rack. Just because you can carry an item by yourself doesn’t mean you can lift it onto the car without straining your back or scratching the car paint. Use two people to load of roof rack.

Clearance
If you have a load on our roof rack then you cannot drive under low-clearance passageways, including many car parks. Always remember this.

Tying things down
Items like canoes, kayaks, and surfboards are large and tend to capture the wind. They will easily fly off if not secured. These should be tied to both the roof rack and the front Roo-bar/Bull-bar and tow bar of the vehicle.

Roof boxes
These have a maximum speed limit, Above this limit they are unsafe and may fly off.

Locks
Anything on the roof rack should be locked. Thieves will try to steal your possessions.

Vehicle Roof Rack

Roof racks add much-needed space for 4WD camping or commercial vehicle work. We have custom roof racks for all makes of car.